ISRC was developed by the international recording industry and has become an international standard

ISO standardised ISRC as ISO 3901:2001. Since 1988 IFPI has recommended ISRC to its members. In 1989 IFPI was appointed International Registration Agency for ISRC and functions as International ISRC Agency.

The ISRC system is constructed so that any entity creating sound recordings can obtain the means to issue ISRCs regardless of their membership of, or standing with, industry associations and other bodies.

Potential users of ISRCs, known as Registrants, apply to a National ISRC Agency or if none exists for their territory, to the International ISRC Agency, for a Registrant Code. For a list of the National ISRC Agencies, please click here.

The ISRC Handbook contains comprehensive explanations and guidelines of how to implement the ISRC system.